Kampala City, Uganda: President Museveni’s government has announced plans to construct 17 additional Presidential Zonal Industrial Skilling Hubs as part of efforts to expand vocational training opportunities and address youth unemployment across the country.
The expansion was unveiled by the State House Presidential Projects Directorate at the launch of the sixth intake of students into the Presidential Industrial Hubs programme, which has enrolled 4,560 learners across 19 existing training centres nationwide.
Initiated by President Museveni, the programme is designed to equip vulnerable youth with practical skills that can enable them to secure employment or establish their own businesses.
The fully government-funded initiative offers hands-on training in carpentry, industrial welding, tailoring, bricklaying, hairdressing, shoemaking and automotive mechanics.
Students enrolled under the programme receive free accommodation, meals and training materials, eliminating financial barriers that often prevent young people from accessing vocational education.
Upon completion, graduates are awarded certificates accredited by the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB), which are recognised as equivalent to the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE).
Speaking about the planned expansion, the Director of Presidential Projects and Industrial Hubs at State House, Eng. Raymond Kamugisha said construction of the new facilities will commence before the end of the current financial year.
“We have enrolled 4,560 students this year. Before the end of the current Financial Year, State House will commence the construction of 17 additional hubs across the country to increase access to skills training and empower more young people,” Kamugisha said.
At the Madi Presidential Zonal Industrial Hub in Adjumani District, administrators admitted 240 students drawn from Adjumani, Moyo, and Obongi districts.
Hub manager Christopher Ijjo said previous cohorts have significantly transformed livelihoods in the sub-region, with many graduates establishing businesses and workshops after completing training.
He also praised President Museveni for introducing a Shs50 million revolving fund channelled through district SACCOs to provide start-up capital for graduates.
“The Presidential support fund has enabled many beneficiaries to acquire start-up capital and become self-reliant,” Ijjo said.
Meanwhile, the Acholi Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub in Gulu admitted 240 students from eight districts, one city and one municipality across Northern Uganda.
The Acholi hub manager, Jimmy Lawrence Adong, said the programme combines technical skills development with patriotism training, mindset change and civic responsibility.
“We place emphasis not only on technical skills but also on discipline, patriotism and mindset change. These values are essential in producing responsible citizens and productive members of society,” Adong said.
New students at the Gulu facility began orientation activities, including physical drills and registration exercises ahead of the commencement of training.
Welcoming the new intake, Gulu Deputy Resident City Commissioner Amir Kamba said the industrial hubs have transformed the lives of thousands of young people in Northern Uganda by providing practical skills and employment opportunities.
He called for increased enrolment capacity to accommodate growing demand from school leavers seeking vocational training.
Some of the beneficiaries described the programme as a pathway to economic independence.
Enderu Winnie Desire, who travelled from Moyo District to join the Madi hub, said the initiative presents an opportunity for young women to acquire practical skills and improve their livelihoods.
Similarly, Achiro Sunday from Lamwo District expressed gratitude for the programme, saying the training would help her contribute to her family’s economic wellbeing and escape poverty.
The industrial hubs programme remains one of government’s flagship interventions aimed at promoting youth employment, entrepreneurship and grassroots wealth creation through vocational and technical skills development.
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